Building Better Lives
- 2006 to date
- Over 1,000 young people now in education or training
- 82 national construction courses delivered
- Over £1.8 million funding
- Establishment of the Construction and Business Services Leadership Group (”CBSLG”)
“DLA Piper has a strong tradition of delivering innovative CSR related projects that focus on industry collaborations. It is therefore very rewarding to be a member of the CBSLG and to be strategically involved in shaping the direction of this very innovative programme.”
Julie Morrissy, Partner, UK Construction and Engineering team.
In 2006 DLA Piper and The Prince’s Trust developed the concept of a construction-led collaboration designed to deliver skills and employment opportunities to young people. We have brought together more than 30 construction and business services companies to form the Construction & Business Services Leadership Group (CBSLG).
The CBSLG addresses the skills and diversity shortage currently faced by the construction industry, seizing upon the unique opportunity that exists in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and the increase in health, education, transport and heritage sector projects across the UK.
Over the past three years 84 ‘Get Into’ courses have run across the UK - two to four week skills based training courses for over 1,000 young people aged 16-25. The courses give participants the chance to learn skills such as plastering, bricklaying and painting & decorating. They also take the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme test to gain their CSCS card which enables them to work on a building site. For many passing their CSCS test, this is the first qualification they have ever passed and the impact of this is can be overwhelming.
This is now the fastest growing leadership group with The Prince’s Trust, generating over £1,000,000 in funding. DLA Piper financially support, guide, and cultivate new member companies as well as giving time and in-kind support.
We also host an annual event which brings together all CBSLG members and the young people that have been supported by the programme. Along with other key supporters, we will be hosting a series of cultivation lunches to expand the number of participants even further.
Such has been the success of this project that we are looking to develop the model and work with The Prince’s Trust and our clients in the hospitality and leisure sector in the hope that we can achieve similar successes together.